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Homemade Nutri-Grain Bars

  • 3 hours ago
  • 2 min read

There’s just something about those soft, fruit-filled bars that feels like childhood… but the store-bought version? Not so much.


These homemade Nutri-Grain bars are made with simple, real ingredients, no fillers, no extras you can’t pronounce. Just a soft, lightly sweet dough wrapped around a fruity filling you can feel good about.






Hand holding a halved pastry with dark filling on a baking tray. More pastries on parchment, a green rolling pin, and flour jar in the background.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Made with mostly whole wheat flour

  • Lightly sweetened (not overly sugary)

  • Freezer-friendly + great for meal prep

  • Customizable with any fruit filling

  • Kid-friendly but still wholesome


Brown pastry dough on a granite counter, filled with dark purple and brown fillings. A green rolling pin and jam jar are in the background.

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Homemade Nutri-Grain Bars


Ingredients You’ll Need

The Dough

  • 1 ¼ cups whole wheat flour

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour

  • ¼ cup quick oats

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • ½ cup butter, softened

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • 3–4 tbsp milk


The Filling Options

1. Use Store-Bought Jam

Quick, easy, and still delicious. Choose one with simple ingredients if you can.

2. Make a Simple Homemade Filling

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fruit (fresh or frozen)

  • 2–4 tbsp water

  • 1–2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)

  • Pinch of salt

  • Optional: 1–2 tsp lemon juice (brightens flavor)

Instructions

  1. Add everything to a saucepan over medium heat.

  2. Cook until soft, stirring occasionally (about 5–10 minutes).

  3. Mash the fruit to your desired texture.

  4. Simmer until thick this is the key step.

    It should look like thick jam, not watery.

  5. Cool completely before using in your bars.


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet.

  2. Make the dough:

    In a bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until smooth.

    Add egg and vanilla; mix well.

  3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.

    Add to wet ingredients and mix to form a dough.

  4. Add milk 1 tbsp at a time until dough is soft, slightly tacky, and easy to roll.

  5. Roll and cut:

    Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll to about 1/8-inch thickness.

    Cut into squares about 4" x 4 ½".

  6. Fill the squares:

    Place a heaping tablespoon of jam or fruit filling down the center of each square, leaving about a ¼-inch border around the edges.

    Brush the borders lightly with water

  7. Fold and seal:

    Fold one side of the dough over the filling and pinch the ends together.

    Fold the other side over and press all seams with your fingers to seal.

    Carefully flip the bar over and place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.

  8. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden but still soft.

    Let bars cool completely before serving.

    A hand holding a brown, baked pastry in a kitchen setting. A rolling pin and baking sheet in the background. Warm, cozy atmosphere.

    Notes

    • Filling must be thick to prevent leaking.

    • Slightly underbake for soft, tender bars.

    • Dough can be lightly floured while rolling if sticky.

    • Bars freeze well—store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Brown pastries filled with jam sit on a parchment-lined tray. Some are whole, while one is broken open, revealing the sweet filling.

The Recipe:




Did you try making these Homemade Nutri Grain Bars ? We’d love to see your creations! Tag us on Instagram at Thesproutinghomestead or leave a comment below to let us know how they turned out. Happy snacking!

 
 
 
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